The City of Tampa has entered the implementation phase of a $1.5 million grant awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to reduce violent crime in the community. The initiative, developed in collaboration with the University of South Florida (USF) and Safe & Sound Hillsborough, focuses on addressing gun violence and supporting youth in the area.Mayor Jane Castor emphasized the importance of community safety, stating, "The safety of our community is our top priority. This grant allows us to put a thorough plan into practice that addresses both crime reduction and...
Hillsborough County FAST results are in, and 53.5% of school students were proficient in Math in the 2022-23 school year, according to the Florida Department of Education.
Tampa Police Chief Bercaw expressed concern over a recent incident where a man took his own life after making threatening statements and displaying suspicious behavior. The events unfolded at 11201 McKinley Dr. in Tampa on Wednesday afternoon. According to Chief Bercaw, the situation had the potential for a more tragic outcome, and investigators are now focused on determining the motives behind the man's actions.Officers from the Tampa Police Department responded swiftly to the scene after receiving reports that a male individual had threatened to detonate a bomb and...
Tampa, Florida - As event season continues to roll on in Tampa, residents and visitors are in for a bustling weekend filled with parades, concerts, and carnivals. With a lineup of diverse events taking place in and around downtown, organizers are advising attendees to plan ahead for potential traffic congestion and limited parking options.One of the key recommendations for attendees is to consider utilizing alternative transportation methods. As stated by event organizers, "We encourage everyone to arrive early to their event and consider using alternative transportation...
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Laurel Lee (R-FL) expressed her disappointment after the Senate dismissed the impeachment trial of Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas."I am extremely disappointed that Senate Democrats refuse to hold a trial and hear the evidence on the articles of impeachment. Secretary Mayorkas has willfully and deliberately refused to follow the laws of the United States, and the Senate has failed to uphold its Constitutional duty to hold a trial," said Rep. Laurel Lee.Lee further stated, "This is a slap in the face to Americans who are endangered by...
Hillsborough County FAST results are in, and 48.4% of school students were proficient in ELA in the 2022-23 school year, according to the Florida Department of Education.
The Tampa Police Department is investigating a bank jugging theft that took place on the afternoon of Friday, April 5th, 2024. According to reports, the suspect followed the victim from a bank on W. Kennedy Blvd. and later broke into the victim's truck to steal the cash.In a statement released by the Tampa Police Department, it was explained that "‘Bank jugging’ is a term used when criminals target people who withdraw cash from banks or ATMs. These criminals watch for individuals leaving with bank envelopes or bags, then follow them to steal the money."The suspect,...
Tampa Police Detectives are currently investigating a shooting incident that tragically resulted in the death of an adult white male in his early 40s. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, April 15, 2024, took place in the 6500 block of Julie St.According to Tampa Police, officers responded to a report of a shooting just before 2:00 am. Upon arrival at the scene, they discovered the victim with upper body trauma. The victim was promptly transported to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. At this time, next of kin notification is...
Mayor Jane Castor of Tampa has announced the upcoming Mayor Jane's Tree Giveaway event, where 500 free trees will be distributed to residents of the city. The event, scheduled for tomorrow, April 13, from 9-11 a.m., will allow each resident to receive up to two free trees from a selection of six species."Tampa prides itself on a world-class urban tree canopy, but we must continue to do everything we can to protect and replenish it. You can help us by taking home a tree or two," Mayor Jane Castor emphasized the importance of community involvement in maintaining Tampa's...
Tampa City officials, Skanska representatives, and community members gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony of the East Tampa Recreation Complex at Fair Oaks Park. Mayor Jane Castor highlighted the significance of the $34.7-million project, emphasizing the much-needed overhaul of the outdated park."Fair Oaks Park has served the community for generations, but it is small, outdated, and long overdue for a complete overhaul," Mayor Jane Castor expressed. "Once we are done, East Tampa will be home to one of the city's most magnificent parks, serving the young and the young...
Chief Lee Bercaw of the Tampa Police Department released a community debrief addressing the issue of gun violence involving young members of the Tampa community. Chief Bercaw expressed deep concern about the dangers posed by juvenile-related gun crimes, highlighting the higher risk of injury or death for those involved with firearms.In the debrief, Chief Bercaw emphasized the importance of preventing such incidents from happening in the first place, stating, "Reducing access to guns from those who should not have them is a focus of our PROJECT: Locked & Unloaded program."...
Tampa Police have identified persons of interest following a shooting near Armature Works on April 9, 2024. Chief Lee Bercaw expressed concern over the incident, stating, “It is disheartening that yet again our community has to deal with senseless gun violence.” The Chief emphasized the importance of community safety and urged cooperation in limiting juvenile access to firearms.The shooting occurred around 4:08 p.m. on the 1900 block of N. Ola Avenue outside Stones Throw Restaurant. Three victims were identified, with two women being transported to a local hospital in...
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Laurel Lee and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell introduced the Supporting the Abused by Learning Options to Navigate Survivor (SALONS) Stories Act, which would incentivize domestic violence awareness training for cosmetologists and beauty professionals."Domestic violence is one of the most underreported crimes in the nation, with one in four women falling victim in her lifetime. Oftentimes, friends and family members may not recognize the extent of the abuse," said Rep. Laurel Lee."Beauty professionals have a vantage point to...
The City of Tampa has taken a proactive approach to combat soaring construction costs by forming a new Engineering Construction Crew within the Tampa Water Department. This initiative has not only helped the city save money but has also expedited the completion of critical infrastructure projects.According to Mayor Jane Castor, "The City of Tampa is dedicated to revitalizing our water infrastructure and providing the best possible service to our customers. This team will enable us to complete more projects quickly and efficiently, stretching our dollars to the best extent...